West Chester Area SD approves $4.57 million capital reserve list; adds second Ruston turf field

The West Chester Area School District board approved a 2025–26 capital reserve project list on Dec. 9 that totals $4,572,580 and includes a wide range of facility maintenance and upgrades, security work and a second full‑size turf field at Ruston High School.

Wayne Burster, the district’s director of facilities, walked the Property & Finance Committee through the list in the committee meeting before the full board vote. Major items include districtwide access‑control and camera expansion ($500,000), districtwide flooring replacements ($125,000), playground and fencing work, facility condition assessment ($100,000) and a proposed second turf field at Ruston for $2,700,000.

Burster explained that the Ruston turf would be a larger, full‑size field (roughly 360 feet by 215 feet) compared with some earlier installations; the larger size and site‑specific grading and drainage work increase cost compared with the two‑field project done previously at East. He said prior turf installations achieved some economies of scale by doing adjoining fields at once.

The committee and the board also discussed roofing, HVAC and smaller projects listed for individual buildings: a partial roof replacement for a Ruston field house, HVAC VFD pump replacements, parking lot seal coating and painting projects, and various site improvements. Burster said the field‑house roof had water infiltration tied to roof penetrations made for grounding rods; proposed solutions may include higher‑grade shingles or a metal roof depending on pricing.

Finance staff noted a funding gap between the project list and the district’s Fund 27 allocation for 2025–26. The total list is $4,572,580; Fund 27 allocation is $2,871,778, leaving a shortfall of $1,700,802. John Scully and district finance staff recommended using capital reserve fund balance to cover the difference. Scully explained prior board practice funds many maintenance projects from general funds and transfers to capital reserve; the board’s capital reserve exists to pay for big‑ticket items without long‑term borrowing.

The property and finance committee recommended the list and the board approved the capital reserve project list and the fund adjustments by voice vote. Administrators said if the board chose not to use capital reserve balance, only the turf project could proceed in the next year and many maintenance projects would be deferred.

Burster also presented a proposed naming for two East High School turf fields to honor Sue Cornelius; that naming request was informational and staff will return with plaque and sign pricing for future board approval.